Cap-feeding apparatus



8, 1944- H. E. STOVER 2,355,481

CAP-FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 7, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. Harry E.S1'ov2r.

ATTOR N EYS H. E. sTovER .Aug. 8, 1944.

CAP-FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 7, '1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 2

Fig.3

INVENTOR. Harry ESrover." BY W, W4 7L M ATTORNEYS Aug. 8, 1944. H. E. STOVER CAP-FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 7, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Harry E. Srovzr.

BY 4.4m, W M

ATTORNEYS 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 lNV ENT OR. Harry E. STovzr M w M ATTORNEYS Aug. 8, 1944. H. E. STOVER CAP-FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 7, 1945 1944- H. E. STOVER CAP-FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. '7, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig. 7

INVENTOR. Harry E. Srover K e w .V E w. m 0 gm E W 6 wr i w w m H s 6 \ll .III

Aug. 8, 1944. H. E. STOVER CAP-FEEDING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 7, 1943 controlling means for Patented Aug. 8, 1944 Harry E. Stover, Connellsville,

Pa... assignor to Anchor Hocking Glass Corporation, Councilsville, 1%.,

a. corporation of Delaware Application January 7, 1943, Serial No. 471,529

Claims. (01. 22688'.1)

My invention relates to Cap-feeding apparatus. It has to do, more particularly, with apparatus for feeding caps from a source of supply and applying them to containers, such as food containers and including jars, bottles, cans, et cetera, preparatory to sealing them on said containers.

This application is a continuation in part of my co-pending application Serial No. 427,966, filed January 23, 1942.

In said application SerialNo. 427,966, I disclose a can-feeding unit which is actuated by a container moved past the (unit by a conveyer associated therewith. The unit is actuated by a passing container to feed a cap into a position where it is so supported that it will be engaged and withdrawn by such container so that it will be applied loosely to the container. The actuating means for the cap-feeding unit includes fluid-actuated mechanism which is controlled 'by means of a pilot valve, actuated by a trigger which is engaged by the passing container, and a main control valve actuated by the pilot valve.

One of the objects of my present invention is to provide controlling means for a cap-feeding unit of the type indicated which is more positive and eflicient in operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide controlling means for a cap-feeding unit of the type indicated which is more simple in structure having but a few parts.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cap-feeding unit of the type indicated which employs a single control valve.

Another object of my invention is to provide controlling means of the type indicated in the preceding paragraph which is of such a nature that the valve can be actuated only once by a single container moved into association therewith so that only one cap will be fed from the capfeeding unit by each container.

Another object of my invention is to provide controlling means of the type indicated of such a nature that the valve cannot be reset until the ieeding'stroke of the cap-feeding unit is completed so that a cap must be fed from such unit each time the valve is actuated.

Another object of my invention is to provide controlling means of the type indicated for a capfeeding unit which is of such a nature that it may be adjusted readily for actuation by containers of varying diameters.

In its preferred form, my invention contemplates the provision of a simple apparatus for I feeding caps from a source of supply and applying mechanism is ing them to containers such as jars, bottles, cans, et cetera. The apparatus is preferably employed with a continuously moving conveyer upon which the filled containers are placed at random. Means is preferably provided in association with the conveyer for centering and maintaining containers centered on said conveyer. The containers are first moved by the conveyer to a capfeeding and app ying unit where caps or other closures are loosely positioned on the upper ends of the containers. The general structure of this unit is substantially like that disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 427,966, filed January 23, 1942.

The cap-feeding and applying unit consists of a magazine for receiving a stack of nested caps. This magazine is of such a nature that the stack of caps may be readily inserted thereinto and they .will be held in proper nested relationship. Suitable wedge bars are disposed at the bottom of the magazine for supporting the lowermost cap. When these wedge bars are reciprocated, they separate the lowermost cap from the remainder of the stack of caps and allow it to fall downwardly while still supporting the stack of caps. A support is provided below the magazine for receiving each separated cap and supporting it in position to be engaged and withdrawn by a container moved beneath the cap-feeding and applying unit.

For controlling the movement of the wedge bars, I provide a fluid-controlled cylinder and piston unit. This cylinder and piston unit is actuated by a control trigger adapted to be engaged by a container moved beneath the capfeeding and applying unit. This trigger actuates a main control valve which controls supply of fluid to said cylinder and piston unit. The control valve is of such a nature that it can be moved into actuating. position only once by each passing container. Thus only one cap can be fed from the cap-feeding unit by each passing container and will drop into position to be engaged by such container. Furthermore, a lockassociated with the valve for looking it in actuating position, after it is once moved into such position by a passing container. This locking mechanism will prevent return movement of the valve to its original position until the 'feeding stroke of the cap-feeding unit is completed. This will insure that the cap-feeding unit will drop a cap for every stroke of the valve.

The preferred embodiment of'my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts and wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the cap-feeding and applying apparatus showing it associated with a sealing machine.

Figure 2 is a view, partly in top plan and partly in section, of the control valve of my apparatus.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the valve mechanism and associated parts of my unit.

Figure 5 is a view, partly in perspective and partly in vertical section illustrating the cylinder and piston unit of my apparatus.

Figure 6 is a top plan view, partly broken away, of my apparatus.

Figure 7 is a top plan view, partly broken away, of my cap-feeding unit showing the control valve in actuating position.

Figure 8 is a similar view showing how the locking mechanism prevents return movement of the valve after the cap-feeding stroke is started.

Figure 9 is a similar view showing the locking mechanism being released to permit return movement of the valve.

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line Ill-III of Figure 1.

Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line II-I I of Figure 10,

Figure 12 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line I2I2 of Figure 1.

With reference to the drawings, I have illustrated apparatus of the general type disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 427,966. This apparatus comprises generally a table Ia (Figures 1 and 10) supporting a horizontal conveyer unit I on its upper surface. Above this conveyer in properly spaced relationship, a capfeeding and applying unit 2 and a sealing head unit 3 are supported. The conveyer unit I may be of any suitable type and is driven continuously. As described in said co-pending application, the containers 4 are placed at random on the conveyer I and are moved in the direction of the arrows (Figures 1, '7 to 9, and 12) by the conveyer, suitable means being provided for centering the containers on the conveyer.

My invention is not limited to any particular type of container and cooperating cap but for illustrative purposes I have shown in Figure 12 a jar 4 having its upper end shaped to receive a cap of the type indicated by the numeral 5. This cap preferably embodies a substantially disk-like portion 6 which has a depending annular skirt I which carries an annular gasket 8 therewithin. When a cap is forced downwardly onto the upper end of the container, the frictional contact of the gasket with the upper end of the container will aid in maintaining the cap in position and will seal the cap on the container.

My cap-feeding and applying unit 2 is preferably disposed directly adjacent the sealing unit 3. They are both supported by a horizontally disposed casting 3. The casting 9 is supported at a point spaced above the conveyer I by means of a plurality of vertically disposed posts III. As described in my application, Serial No. 418,401, the casting 9 may be adjusted vertically on the posts I0 to vary the height of the units 2 and 3 above the conveyer I for different heights of containers.

The cap-feeding and applying unit comprises a plate I33 which is suitably mounted on the casting 3 over a large opening a (Figure 1) in the casting. This plate I33 has a portion I34 (Fig-- a housing I43.

ures 10 and 12) which extends down into the opening 25a. The plate I33 is held in position on casting 3 by means of dowel pins I35 (Figure 1) extended into openings formed in casting I33. Pins I35 lit into sockets I351: in casting 9 so that plate I33 may be removed readily from casting 3. The plate I33 is provided with a centrally disposed opening I36 which is of the proper size to permit thev caps, to be applied to the containers, to drop freely therethrough. The plate I33 carries four upstanding posts I31 which are spaced circumferentially around the opening I36. These posts I31 are adapted to receive a stack of the nested caps.

As described in my co-pending application Serial No. 427,966, for controlling the feed of the caps downwardly through the opening I36, I provide the following structure. This structure embodies a pair of cap-separating wedge members I38. These wedge members I38 are disposed tangentially to the opening I36, as indicated best in Figures 1 and 6 to 10. They are mounted for longitudinal movement in recesses I38a formed in thelower surface of the plate I33 (Figure 12). The recesses I38a extend substantially tangential to opening I36 and are in communication therewith at their inner edges. The lower wall of these recesses is formed by a plate I33a which is secured to the lower surface of plate I33 and which has a central opening I36a. in alignment with opening I36.- The members I38 are connected together at one end by a bar I39 (Figure 1) in such a manner as to permit slight movement of the wedge bars relative to bar I33 so that they will properly align and position themselves in recesses I38a as described in my co-pending application Serial No. 427,966. The other ends of wedge bars I33 are connected together in a similar manner by a bar I40.

The bar I39 is engaged by the outer end of a pin I4I (Figure 1) which is mounted for axial movement in a bearing member 3a disposed on casting 9 (Figure 3). The outer end of the pin MI is provided with a head I42 disposed within This cylindrical housing I43 is in alignment with bearing member 9a and has a closed outer end I44. Within this housing a compression spring I45 is provided. This spring has one end bearing against the closed end I44 of the housing and its other end bearing against the head I42 on pin I4I. Thus, the spring I45 normally forces the pin I in one direction as shown in Figure 1.

The spring I45 also serves to keep the bar I in contact with the outer end of a piston rod I46 which is diametrically opposed to pin I4I. This piston rod I46 (Figures 1, 5 and 10) is carried by a piston I46a disposed in a cylinder I41 carried by the casting 3. The piston I46a is provided with a projection I46b on its outer end which extends into a socket I460 in the closed end of cylinder I41 but keeps the main part of the piston spaced from such closed end when it is moved to its extreme position to the left of Figure 10. The piston M611 is held normally in the positionindicated in Figure 10. It will be apparent that when the piston is reciprocated, the members I38 will be reciprocated also.

The wedge members I38 are of the shape described in my co-pending application Serial No. 427,966. They operate in the manner described in said application when reciprocated to drop a cap downwardly through openings I36 and I36a. The members I38 are held in their initial position (Figure 1) by spring I45. When the memcaps of a difierent size.

bers I38 are moved in the opposite direction by outward movement of the piston Il6a, the lowermost cap will drop through the opening I36 as described in my co-pending application.

It will be apparent that the entire cap feeding unit consisting of plate I33, posts I31, carried by such plate, and members I38, mounted for iongitudinal movement in guides in said plate, together with bars I39 and I00, can be removed readily and be replaced with a similar unit for different size caps. The removal of this unit is facilitated because pin I is not connected to bar I39 and piston rod I l6 is not connected to bar 0. The wedge members I38 may be removed quickly and easily for cleaning or replacement from the plate I 33 by disconnecting the bars I39 and from the ends thereof.

The cap released from the stack will drop downwardly onto a tongue member I62 (Figure 12). This member I 62 extends beneath the opening I35a in plate I33a.- It is fastened on the lower end of a vertical pin I62a which is mounted for rotation in aligning openings formed in members I33 and I330. The upper end of the pin I62a has a handle member I62b pinned thereon. A downwardly pressed ball and spring latch I62c is provided at the lower side of handle I 62b and bears against the upper surface of plate I33. The ball latch member I62c normally extends into a socket IBM in plate I33 and prevents swinging of handle I62!) and, consequently, rotation of tongue I62 about the axis of pin I62a. However, the handle I62b can be swung away from its original position with slight force and thus will produce swinging movement of tongue I62 from beneath the opening I36a. When the tongue I62 is in normal position, as shown in Figure 12, the rear edge of the dropped cap is supported thereby. The forward edge of the cap is supported at diametrically opposed points by lugs I65. As shown in Figure 12, the cap will be supported in downwardly tilted position. The plate I33a is so formed that guide portions I65a are provided at each side thereof which will prevent lateral movement of the cap as it is withdrawn from the supporting members I62 and I65 by a'container being moved along by the conveyer I. The members I65 are secured to guide portions I65a and although they are spaced a distance such that the cap will rest thereon, they are so spaced laterally that the upper end of the container will pass therebetween, it being understood that the cap is slightly greater in diameter than the upper end of the container. Furthermore, the members I65 are so placed longitudinally and vertically, that the resulting angle of the tilt of the dropped cap is such that the upper end of the container will pass under the rear edge of said cap, and it will engage with the inner side of its forward edge, and since said cap is merely guided but not restrained in any way, it is easil removed by the container without danger of upsetting said container. Centering lugs I650 (Figure 1) are provided ahead of lugs I65 and are adapted to engage the upper end of the container to center it exactly relative to openins I36.

As previously explained, the entire cap-feeding unit is carried by plate I33 and can be removed readily and be replaced with a unit for feeding Furthermore, at any time, the tongue I62 may be swung away from aligning openings I36 and I 3611 to facilitate removal of a dropped cap, if it is desired to remove it.

When the conveyer moves a container beneath the cap-feeding unit 2, the upper end of the container will engage the skirt of the inclined cap disposed in the position indicated in Figure 12." This will withdraw the cap from its supports and position it on the upper end of the container. The cap and container will be moved along until they pass into association with the sealing unit 3 which will seal the cap on the container in a manner described in my co-pending application, Serial No. 418,401.

In order to supply steam to the cylinder Ill to actuate the cap-feeding unit, I provide means which is actuated by movement of the container with the conveyer into a position below the cap- Ieeding and applying unit. As illustrated best in Figures '7 to 10, this means comprises a small roller I86 which is held in a fixed position by a pin I86a (Figure 10) on the lower-edge of one of the guide portions I65a. of plate I33a, This member I86-is located directly below the aligning openings I36 and I36a slightly forwardly of pin Ill and piston rod 6 as shown best in Figure 1. At a point almost laterally opposed but spaced forwardly slightly, the washer member I8l is disposed on the other guide portion I65a of plate I33a. A pair of pins I88 (Figures 7 to 10) are supported by a horizontal guide l88a beneath washer I81 and this guide prevents the removal of washer I61 but permits free lateral movement of the washer to a considerable extent.

A control valve I89 is associated with the washer member I81. This control valve is illustrated best in Figures 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9. It comprises a segmental body I90 which is mounted for Divota1 movement in a segmental notch I9I which is formed in the outer edge of a block I92. This block I92 is provided with an integral cylindrical extension I93 (Figures 4 and 5) on its opposite end which extends within a cylindrical socket Illa (Figure 5) formed as a part of cylinder Ill and in axial alignment therewith. The extension I93 is prevented from rotating or moving axially in socket portion Illa by means of a; setscrew I9l (Figure 6) which is threaded through the wall of socket Illa and engages extension I93.

The segmental body I90 is supported on a shelf-like portion I95 of block I92 and is pivoted thereto by means of a pin I96 which extends through member I 90 and into an opening I91 formed in portion I95. The inner curved surface I98 of body I90 will be in close contact with the inner arcuate wall surface I99 of the notched portion I9I, as shown best in Figures 7, 8 and 9. A cap 200 is mounted on the upper side of block I92 and is properly aligned therewith by means of a groove 20I, formed in the underside of the cap, which cooperates with a rib 202 formed on the top surface of the block. Aligning openings 203 and 204 are provided in the cap and block for receiving screw 204a (Figure 3) which keep such members in proper association. The upper end of pin I96 wil1 extend into an opening I9la formed in cap 200.

Thus, member I90 is mounted on the block. I92 for rotation about the axis of pivot pin I96." Rotation in one direction is limited by a stop pin 205, carried by the block and extending into notch I9I, which contacts with a stop shoulder 206 formedin the outer lower surface of body I90. A compression spring 201 normally keeps member I90 in the position indicated in Figure 2, where pin 205 will be in contact with shoulder 206. One end of this spring bears against the vertical wall 209 of a recessed portion 209 formed in body I90 and fits over a pin 2I0 carried thereby. The other end bears against the short arm 2 of a latch 2I2 which is in the form of a bell crank lever. A pin 2I3 on arm 2 receives this end of the spring. Latch 2I2 is pivoted, as at 2, in a recessed portion 2I5 formed in the upper surface of block I92. The lever 2I2 i disposed at one side of a ledge 2I8, provided in recessed portion 2I5, while the spring 201 is disposed at the opposite side thereof. The outer end of the long arm of latch 2 I 2 i provided with an inwardly projecting latch portion 2I1. This vertical latch portion 2I1 is adapted to cooperate with a vertical keeper portion or notch 2I8 formed in the outer side of body I90. However, when the body.I90 is in the position shown in Figure 9, where it will be normally held by spring 201, the latch portion 2I1 will not extend into keeper 2I8 but will instead contact with the curved face I99 of member I90. The spring 201 also serves to swing th latch 2I2 about pivot 2 and urge portion 2" inwardly. Adjacent its outer end and the latch portion 2", the latch carries an upstanding pin 2I9. This pin is carried on an extension 220 which extends out beyond the edge of block I92 and cap 200 (Figure 5).

The inner curved face I98 of body I90 is provided with a vertically disposed chamber 22I formed therein which is completely closed except at its outer side. This chamber 22I is suf-' ilciently wide-that it can connect a central vertical slot 222, formed in wall surface I9I of block I92, with either a parallel vertical slot 223 or a parallel vertical notch 224, which are also formed in surface I9I, depending upon themsition of body I90. The slots 222 and 223 are of substantially the same height as chamber 22I and are disposed at substantially the same level. The notch 224 is adapted to serve as an exhaust opening and communicates with the recessed portion 2I5 formed in th block I92. It is formed by drilling a hole completely through the block I92 as shown 'in Figure 3.

The slot 223 is at one end of a steam-supply passageway 229 (Figure 6) which extends through block I92 and extension I93. A steam line is adapted to be connected to a threaded connection 228 at the opposite end of thi passageway. vThe slot 222 is at one end of a passageway 221 (Figure 10) which leads through block I92 and extension I93. Th opposite end oi this passageway is in communication with an opening 229 extending through the wall of cylinder I41 at the closed end thereof, that is, the left-hand end of Figure 10. The opposite end of the cylinder is provided with a vent opening 229.

The piston I49a is ordinarily in the position indicated in Figure 10, being held. in this position by means of spring-pressed pin I. At this time the valve body I90 will be in the position indicated in Figure 6. The chambe 22I in the valve body will be in such position that the slot 223 will b closed but the slot 222 will be connected thereby to the exhaust opening 224. Thus, steam will have exhausted from the closed end of cylinder I41, through opening 229, passageway 221, slot, 222, chamber 22I and opening 224 to the atmosphere.

When a container is moved into position to engage washer I81, the washer is moved, a indicated in Figure 7, and will rotate valve body I90. Thi will move chamber 22I to such a position that the slot 222 will be connected to slot 223 while the exhaust opening 224 will be closed. Consequently, steam will flow from supply passageway 225, through slot 223, chamber 22I, slot 222, passageway 221, opening 229, into the closed end of cylinder I41. Thus, the pi t n I49a will be moved to the right (Figure 10) causing a similar movement of cap-feeding bars When the washer I91 is moved to a suilicient extent, moving valve body I inwardly, as shown in Figure 8, against resistance of spring 201, the latch portion 2" will snap into keeper 2 I9. This will prevent return movement of valve body I99, the spring 201 tending to cause this return movement. Return movement of valve body I90 will be precluded until the wedge bars I39 complete their feeding stroke. At this time, a cam portion 230 (Figure 5) formed on the lower surface of bar I40, adjacent its outer end, will strike the pin 2 I 9, carried by latch 2I2, as shown in Figure 8. This will swing latch portion 2I1 out of notch 2I9. Valve body I90 will then be rotated back to its original position by spring 201 (Figure 9) and will reach the final position shown in Figure 2. Return movement of the valve body I90 will be permitted by washer I81 after the container has moved past the washer. In this position, chamber 22I will again connect slot 222 with exhaust opening 224, permitting exhaust of steam from the closed end of cylinder I41 and, consequently, permitting spring-pressed pin IM to move wedge bars I39 and piston I48a back to their original positions.

It will be apparent that reciprocation of the wedge bars I38 in the manner indicated drops a single cap into the position indicated in Figure 12. in this position, it will be engaged and withdrawn by the container which has previously moved washer I81 to actuate the cap-feed. With the arrangement indicated, the valve can be set but once for each container, o that only one cap can be dropped by a container. The valve cannot be reset until the feed stroke of the cap-feeding wedge bars I39 has been completed and the container has passed the actuating washer I91 of the valve. This means that the cap feed can drop only one cap for every setting or actuating of the valve and there can be but one setting for the valve for each passing container.

It will be apparent from the above description that I have provided controlling means for a capfeeding unit which is more positive and efllcient in operation. It is simple in structure, having few parts. It employs a single control valve of such a nature that one cap only will be fed from the unit by each container. Furthermore, a cap must be fed from the unit each time the valve is actuated by a container.

Various other advantages will be apparent from the preceding description, the drawings and the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a cap-feeding apparatus, a source of supply of caps, movable means for feeding caps successively from said source of supply, control means for moving said movable means and including a movable control member, means for locking said control member after it has been moved to actuating position, and means for releasing said control member as said movable cap-feeding means nears the extent of itsmovement.

2. In a cap-feeding apparatus of the type described wherein conveyer means is provided in association with said apparatus, said apparatus comprising a source of supply of caps, movable means for feeding caps successively from said source of supply, control means for moving said movable means and including a movable control member, said control member being moved to actuating position upon movement of a container by the conveyer into association with said cap-feeding apparatus, means for locking said control member after it has been moved to actuating position, and means for releasing said control member as said movable cap-feeding means nears the extent of its movement.

3. In a cap-feeding apparatus, a source of supply of caps, a movable member for feeding caps successively from said source of supply, fluidactuated means for moving said movable member, means for controlling actuation of said fluidactuated means, said means comprising a movable valve, means for locking said valve after it has been moved to actuating position. and means for releasing said valve as said movable cap-feeding member nears the extent of its movement.

4. In a cap-feeding apparatus of the type described wherein conveyer means is provided in association with said apparatus, said apparatus comprising a source of supply of caps, a movable member for feeding caps successively from said source of supply, fluid-actuated means for moving said movable member, means for controlling actuation of said fluid-actuated means, said means comprising a movable valve, said valve being moved to actuating position upon movement of a container by the conveyer into association with said cap-feeding apparatus, means for locking said valve after it has been moved to actuating position, and means for releasing said valve as said movable cap-feeding member nears the extent of its movement.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the valve is moved to actuating position by a trigger which is engaged by the container carried by the conveyer.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said valve comprises a rotatable body portion for selectively connecting said fluid-actuated means to a supply line or to a vent.

7. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said fluid-actuated means comprises a cylinder and piston unit, said valve comprising a rotatable body portion for connecting said cylinder to a fluid supply line or to a vent.

8. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein a trigger is provided for moving said control member, said trigger being in position to be engaged by a container moved into association with said cap-feeding unit.

9. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said valve comprises a rotatable body portion for selectively connecting said fluid-actuated means to a supply line or to a. vent.

10. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein 5 said valve comprises a body portion movable to positions to connect a supply line to said fluidactuated unit or a vent to said unit.

11. In a cap-feeding apparatus, a source of supply of caps, a movable member for feeding caps successively from said source of supply, fluidactuated means for moving said movable member, means for controlling actuation of said fluidactuated means, said means comprising a valve of segmental form having a chamber formed in the face thereof, said valve being mounted for rotation on a valve block having a plurality of passageways formed therein, said passageways including a passageway connected to said fluidactuated means, a passageway connected to a source of supply of fluid and a vent passageway, said valve being movable from a normal position where it connects the vent passageway to the passageway connected to saidfluid-actuated unit to an actuating position where it connects said fluid supply passageway to said passageway which is connected to said fluid-actuated means, and a latch member associated with said valve body for maintaining it in actuating position after it is moved into such position.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein means is provided for releasing said latch member as the cap-feeding member nears the extent of its movement.

13. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said cap-feeding member is provided with a cam portion which engages said latch member and releases it as said cap-feeding member nears the extent of its movement.

14. Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein m a spring is provided which tends to maintain said valve body in normal position and wherein said cap-feeding member is provided with a cam portion which engages said latch member and releases it as said capeeding member nears the 45 extent or its movement.

15. A cap-feeding unit comprising a magazine for supporting a stack of the caps, said magazine having an opening at the bottom thereof through which the caps are adapted to drop, means for controlling the feed 01' caps through said opening, a tongue member supported adjacent said opening and normally projecting beneath said opening, said tongue member being carried by the lower end of a rotatable pin, a handle member on the upper end of said pin, said handle member having a ball type plunger associated with its lower surface and adapted to cooperate with a receiving socket for normally holding the tongue in operative position.

HARRY E. STOVER. 

